178 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



extended gallop the fore parts, when raisf^cl, are forced 

 forward by the alternate flexions and extensions of the 

 ansjles of the hinder parts ; and as both of the fore and 

 both of the hind leo^s, in the racing gallop, become opposed 

 to the ground in succession at the same moment — that is, as 

 the two fore feet at once beat the ground together, and 

 then the two hind, so it is evident that the gallop of full 

 speed is nothing more than a repetition of leaps." 



Tiie gallop is ridden in two ways ; the one seated in the 

 saddle, the feet in the stirrup as far as the bail of the great 

 toe, in the usual manner of riding throw paces, or with 

 the stirrup home to the waist and instep of the boot — the 

 ordinary hunting seat. With this the body is slightly bent 

 backwards, in an easy posture ; the knees press firmly 

 against the saddle flaps ; the hands low, with a gentle draw 

 on the mouth. The position of the hands, however, must be 

 higher or lower, according to the horse's mode of carrying 

 his head when galloping ; that is, raised if he hangs down- 

 ward, level if he does not bear on the bit, and absolutely 

 low if he ^'snifls the wind with upturned nostril." 



The second way is the jockey's rising in the stirrups and 

 standing. The weight is then on the irons, steadied by a 

 moderate pressure of the knees. The seat is more back- 

 ward than when down in the saddle, the loins and body 

 leaning forward ; the hea 1 not too low, and the knee 

 slightly flexed to press the foot backward as well as down- 

 ward. This seat is rarely used except in racing. It 

 relieves the horse in bad ground, and over deep plough or 

 fallow, and might be more frequently adopted with 

 advantage. It, however, soon fatigues the muscles of the 

 rider, if it saves those of the horse. 



LEAPING. 



Leaping is a mode of surmounting obstacles common to 

 most hunting quadrupeds, and to the horse tribe, though 

 the style of jumping varies greatly in different animals. 

 The kangaroo, which has no pace but jumping, is the most 

 abnormal, his jump being eflfected by the base of his 

 muscular tail and squatting hams. The trained horse alters 

 his style of leap considerably, according to the nature of 

 the obstacle to be surmounted, and hence, " fencing," as it 

 is called in hunting countries, presents several well-known 



